ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a time of significant physiological and physical change for women. In particular, it is a time at which many women are at risk of gaining excessive weight. We describe the rationale and methods of the Health in Pregnancy and Post-birth (HIPP) Study, a study which aims ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis has recently been discussed as an emerging infectious disease in many contexts, including changes in environmental drivers of disease transmission and the emergence of serovars. In this paper, we report the epidemiology of leptospiral serovars from our study of human leptospirosis in American Samoa in 2010, present ...

Unlike professional caregivers such as physicians and nurses, informal caregivers, typically family members or friends, provide care to individuals with a variety of conditions including advanced age, dementia, and cancer. This experience is commonly perceived as a chronic stressor, and caregivers often experience negative psychological, behavioral, and physiological effects on ...

Drug licensing and drug safety monitoring for standard chemical entities have been established and are routinely used. These have resulted in a solid foundation of knowledge from which confident therapeutic decisions can be made. For many chemical entities, this advanced level of experience is also present for the generic products. ...

BACKGROUND: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer and trauma. However, individual-level prospective data on SES in relation to health outcomes among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) are unavailable. METHODS: In a cohort of 1,006 patients at a 24-bed surgical ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Leptospires are presumed to enter their host via small abrasions or breaches of the skin. The intraperitoneal route, although commonly used in guinea pig and hamster models of leptospirosis, does not reflect conditions encountered during natural infection. The aim of this study is to develop a novel leptospirosis ...

PURPOSE: The REIC (reduced expression in immortalized cells)/Dkk-3 is down-regulated in various cancers and considered to be a tumor suppressor gene. REIC/Dkk-3 mRNA has two isoforms (type-a,b). REIC type-a mRNA has shown to be a major transcript in various cancer cells, and its promoter activity was much stronger than that ...

Delayed remote ischemic postconditioning (DRIPost) has been shown to protect the rat brain from ischemic injury. However, extremely short therapeutic time windows hinder its translational use and the mechanism of action remains elusive. Because opening of the mitochondria K(ATP) channel is crucial for cell apoptosis, we hypothesized that the neuroprotective ...

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have emerged as important food contaminants. They cause immune suppression in a rodent model at serum concentrations similar to those occurring in the US population, but adverse health effects of PFC exposure are poorly understood. To determine whether PFC exposure is associated with antibody response to childhood ...

We present a novel approach for the direct synthesis of ultrathin Si nanowires (NWs) exhibiting room temperature light emission. The synthesis is based on a wet etching process assisted by a metal thin film. The thickness-dependent morphology of the metal layer produces uncovered nanometer-size regions which act as precursor sites ...

In this paper, we demonstrate a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) based on nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) formed by pulse anodization. The AAO structure with alternating mild anodized (MA) and hard anodized (HA) layers having different porosities and thereby different refractive indices was fabricated in 0.3 M H(2)SO(4) using potential pulses ...

We demonstrate a novel configuration of an electrothermal actuator (ETA), which is based on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab sandwiched by upper and lower active layers of CNT-PDMS composite. When only one active layer of a single sandwich structure ETA is heated and the other is not, there exists a thermal ...

Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) consisting of non-ortho and mono-ortho-chlorinated PCBs are dioxin-like compounds and caused contamination widely in the environment. In order to monitor Co-PCB residues, it was attempted to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal and recombinant antibodies selective to Co-PCBs. When 3,3',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenoxy butyric acid (PCBH)-keyhole limpet ...

: A strategy featuring a multicomponent assembly process followed by an intramolecular azide-alkyne dipolar (Huisgen) cycloaddition was implemented for the facile synthesis of three different 1,2,3-triazolo-1,4-benzodiazepine scaffolds. A diverse library of 170 compounds derived from these scaffolds was then created through N-functionalizations, palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, and several applications of α-aminonitrile ...

In the face literature, it is debated whether the identification of facial expressions requires holistic (i.e., whole face) or analytic (i.e., parts-based) information. In this study, happy and angry composite expressions were created in which the top and bottom face halves formed either an incongruent (e.g., angry top + happy ...

The integration of the veterinary, medical and environmental sciences necessary to predict, prevent or respond to emerging zoonotic diseases requires effective collaboration and exchange of knowledge across these disciplines. There has been no research into how to connect and integrate these professions in the pursuit of a common task. We ...

The degradation of organic carbon in subseafloor sediments on continental margins contributes to the largest reservoir of methane on Earth. Sediments in the Andaman Sea are composed of ~1% marine-derived organic carbon and biogenic methane is present. Our objective was to determine microbial abundance and diversity in sediments that transition ...

The first designed molecular catalyst for water oxidation is the "blue dimer", cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)Ru(III)ORu(III)(OH(2))(bpy)(2)](4+). Although there is experimental evidence for extensive electronic coupling across the μ-oxo bridge, results of earlier DFT and CASSCF calculations provide a model with magnetic interactions of weak to moderately coupled Ru(III) ions across the μ-oxo bridge. ...

The spirotetronate okilactomycin D (7) has been efficiently synthesized by a route featuring a substrate-controlled, diastereoselective (8:1) intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) reaction of 11. The assigned absolute configuration of (-)-7 was confirmed.

Deaf citizens are confronted with barriers in a health-care system shaped by hearing people. Therefore the German legislature provides a supply with sign language interpreters at the expense of the health insurances. The present study initially examines in how far the deaf are informed about this and use said interpreters. ...

The German Agency for Quality in Medicine (ÄZQ) was established as a joint institution of the German Medical Association (BÄK) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) in 1995. Starting as a small quality assurance co-ordination unit of the German physicians' national self-governmental bodies, ÄZQ has been ...

Representative data for Germany show that each year 7.7% (95% CI: 7.0-8.6%) of all children and adolescents suffer injuries in sport. The reasons are mainly collisions and falls. The most frequent consequences were injuries to the muscle-tendon apparatus and fractures. There were no significant differences, except for a few exceptions, ...

In Germany, differences in health risks, morbidity and health care between children whose parents are insured either in the statutory or in the private health insurance (in German: GKV or PKV respectively) have rarely been studied. Recent studies have shown that adults who are insured in the GKV tend to ...

The care of patients with rare diseases is associated with many challenges, in particular those associated with high coordination complexity. In an explorative case study in a health-care network for patients with respiratory insufficiency, we have investigated the types and causes of coordination problems.We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 3 ...

Purpose: Anophthalmia is a heterogeneous developmental disorder characterized by absent eyes whose diverse etiology encompasses chromosomal and monogenic aberrations, as well as environmental causes. Since the molecular basis has been defined in only a small proportion of cases and extending this offers potential to enhance understanding of key steps in ...

The role of the glutamatergic system in cancer cell homeostasis has expanded exponentially over the last decade. Once thought to participate only in synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability, the presence of functional glutamate receptors have since been demonstrated in peripheral tissues. Most notable is the implication of glutamate receptors in ...

Hypersensitive response-related programmed cell death (PCD) has been extensively analyzed in various plant-virus interactions. However, little is known about the changes in gene expression and phytohormone levels associated with cell death caused by compatible viruses. The synergistic interaction of Potato virus X (PVX) with a number of potyviruses results in ...

Nanoscale drug delivery vehicles have been extensively studied as carriers for cancer chemotherapeutics. However, the formulation of platinum chemotherapeutics in nanoparticles has been a challenge arising from their physicochemical properties. There are only a few reports describing oxaliplatin nanoparticles. In this study, we derivatized the monomeric units of a polyisobutylene ...

Sustainability has become an important factor in the selection of remedies to clean up contaminated sites. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a relatively new drilling technology that has been successfully adapted to site remediation. In addition to the benefits that HDD provides for the logistics of site cleanup, it also ...

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the common wetland plant Juncus effusus to assess levels of within- and among-population genetic diversity.• Methods and Results: Using a next-generation sequencing approach we identified new microsatellite loci, from which 23 were further characterized in a large population of J. ...

The controversy evolution vs. creationism is inherent to the incompatibility between scientific rationalism/empiricism and the belief in supernatural causation. To test this hypothesis, we conceptualized a Cartesian landscape where the dependent variable acceptance of evolution was plotted as function of three factors, each represented by an index (value range 0 ...

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers for Masdevallia solomonii were developed to serve as a tool in future population genetic studies of this threatened species from the Bolivian Yungas.• Methods and Results: Thirteen microsatellite primers were characterized by cloning an intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) library. From these, 10 loci ...

An inexpensive cationic ruthenium(II) catalyst enabled the expedient synthesis of isocoumarins through oxidative annulations of alkynes by benzoic acids. This C-H/O-H bond functionalization process also proved applicable to the preparation of α-pyrones and was shown to proceed by rate-limiting C-H bond ruthenation.

Background and study aims: Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) offers an alternative approach for endoscopic visualization of the colon. Some of the current CCE bowel cleansing regimens use sodium phosphate, which has raised safety concerns. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of a ...

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the invasive plant Microstegium vimineum (Poaceae) to assess its population structure and to facilitate tracking of invasion expansion.• Methods and Results: Using 454 sequencing, 11 polymorphic and six monomorphic microsatellite primer sets were developed for M. vimineum. The primer sets ...

Multi-species biofilm communities are environments in which complex but ill understood exchanges between bacteria occur. Although monospecies cultures are still widely used in the laboratory, new approaches have been undertaken to study interspecies interactions within mixed communities. This review describes our current understanding of competitive relationships involving non-biocidal biosurfactants, enzymes ...

Wireless pH monitoring is one of the recent technologies that focus on improving the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The capsule, which is fixed within the esophagus, transmits data via telemetry to an external receiver. The capsule is usually inserted 6 cm above the squamocolumnar junction during an upper endoscopy. ...

• Premise of the study: A new set of microsatellite primers was developed for Avena sativa and characterized to assess the level of genetic diversity among cultivars and wild genotypes.• Methods and Results: Using an enrichment genomic library, 14 simple sequence repeat markers were identified. The loci of these markers ...

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for a heterostylous herb, Hedyotis chrysotricha to investigate the effect of habitat fragmentation on its genetic diversity and population structure.• Methods and Results: Twelve primer sets were developed and their polymorphisms were tested on 47 individuals from two island populations of ...

Aim: Engagement is critical in ensuring that the most 'at risk' clients receive care from psychiatric services, but the relationship between engagement and treatment outcomes remains unclear. This study investigated possible improvements in client engagement and the relationship between engagement and treatment outcomes in a group of difficult-to-engage, 'high-risk' young ...

Breastfeeding has extensive health benefits for both infants and mothers. Despite these benefits, a significant number of women, disproportionately low-income women, do not initiate breastfeeding. Previous research has also demonstrated that breastfeeding prevalence varies by urbanicity level. The objective was to examine race/ethnicity and urbanicity trends in breastfeeding initiation among ...

• Premise of the study: In comparison to the wide use of chloroplast markers, few mitochondrial markers are available for phylogenetic studies in bryophytes. We investigated the phylogenetic suitability of several mtDNA markers within the Funariaceae and across mosses.• Methods and Results: By comparing mitochondrial genomes of two mosses, eight ...

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase is an integral membrane protein crucial for the maintenance of ion homeostasis and skeletal muscle contractibility. Skeletal muscle Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase content displays remarkable plasticity in response to long-term increase in physiological demand, such as exercise training. However, the adaptations in Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase function in response to a suddenly decreased and/or habitually ...

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Tabernaemontana catharinensis had their composition analysed by GC-MS. A total of 18 substances were identified, consisting of a complex mixture of sesquiterpenes (83.52%), monoterpenes (5.46%) and triterpenes (4.56%). The main components in the oil were β-caryophyllene (56.87%), α-cadinol (12.52%), 8S,13-cedran-diol ...

Adipogenesis and lipid storage in human adipose tissue are inhibited by androgens such as 5a-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Inactivation of DHT to 5a-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol) is stimulated by glucocorticoids in human preadipocytes. Objective: To characterize glucocorticoid-induced androgen inactivation in human preadipocytes and to establish its role in the anti-adipogenic action of DHT. Methods: ...

A biphenyl-fused BODIPY was synthesized through a facile oxidative cyclization of peripheral aryl-substituents at the β-position of the BODIPY unit. The extended π-system of the fused BODIPY induces near-infrared (NIR) absorption and strong π-π interactions in the solid state. These features are beneficial for the application of the dye as ...

Leptin enhances insulin sensitivity in addition to reducing food intake and body weight. Recently, amylin, a pancreatic β cell derived hormone, was shown to restore a weight-reducing effect of leptin in leptin-resistant diet-induced obesity (DIO). However, whether amylin improves the effect of leptin on insulin sensitivity in DIO is unclear. ...

Workers in physically demanding occupations require work breaks to recover from exertion. In a laboratory setting, we investigated the impact of ergometer cycling for 7 h in two conditions with an identical total break time but with two different activity-rest schedules. We hypothesised that more frequent but shorter breaks lead to ...

The final number of Sertoli cells reached during the proliferative periods determines sperm production capacity in adulthood. It is well known that FSH is the major Sertoli cell mitogen; however, little is known about the signal transduction pathways that regulate the proliferation of Sertoli cells. The hypothesis of this investigation ...

Earlier study reported that cecal calcium absorption contributes less than 10% of total calcium absorbed by the intestine although cecum has the highest calcium transport rate as compared to other intestinal segments. Thus, the physiological significance of the cecum pertaining to body calcium metabolism remains elusive. Herein, a 4-week calcium ...